News
Susan Elkin reviews Bassett
Susan Elkin reviews Bassett at the New Diorama Theatre, the first of Mountview Acting students final set of plays.
"The ensemble work – all twelve characters are continuously on stage – is a credit to Rebecca Frecknall’s decisive and effective directing...
Conor Neaves is outstanding as the troubled, angry, suppressed but dangerous Leo who ultimately comes to overpower everyone else. He twitches, growls, squirms, suffers and weeps. It is an astonishing, deeply truthful performance and I think this is a drama student we shall hear more of. Harriet Hare gives us a lovely account of Kelly the girl who maybe once went out with Charlie and is now sad in ways she doesn’t fully understand herself."
The Stage reviews Acting Showcase
Susan Elkin reviews Mountview’s third year undergraduate actors’ showcase in The Stage:
‘It is always a pleasure to be at a showcase which presents varied material. So, as well as the Romeo and Juliet piece it was good to hear Harriet Hare finding all the right determination and certainty for Cathy describing her love for Heathcliff in an extract from Wuthering Heights. Also in the mix is Toni Peach as the heavily pregnant and rarely reasonable Jo in part of Shelagh Delaney’s A Taste of Honey with Matthew Warhurst bringing exasperated anger to the long suffering Geoffrey. Edward Kemp’s 5/11, with Gregor Davidson in imperious, declamatory mode as King James, is an interesting choice too.’
Read the full review
Elaine Paige attends Guys and Dolls
Cast and crew of Mountview’s production of Guys and Dolls were thrilled that musical theatre legend Elaine Paige came to see the final production of the run on 23 March.
Elaine came back stage after the show to meet the company and posed for a cast photo on stage. Elaine has given master classes at Mountview and received an Honorary Degree in 2012.
After the show Elaine tweeted "Just seen a wonderful 3rd year Mountview student production of Guys & Dolls. Congratulations to everyone".
Masterclass with Douglas Henshall
Mountview graduate Douglas Henshall gave a masterclass to second and third year acting students on 14 March.
He talked honestly and amusingly about the realities of life after training at Mountview, including the countless letters he wrote until he got his first acting job at Citizens Theatre in Glasgow.
He went on to reveal that he missed out on a role in Trainspotting because he’d just signed a contract to work at the RSC and that even after 25 years it’s still frustrating to get turned down for a role.
Questions from students revealed his favourite and worst acting experience and advice on whether to use a native accent for a part (unless the script demonstrates the character is from a particular region, he suggests you stay true to your natural accent).
Vikki Heywood appointed as new Chairman of Mountview
Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts has today announced the appointment of Vikki Heywood as its new Chairman.
Vikki Heywood CBE is one of the foremost arts leaders of her generation. In 2012 The Stage newspaper named her one of the four most influential people in British theatre. Most recently, Vikki was Executive Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, leading the globally renowned company through a significant period of growth including overseeing the redevelopment of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and producing the critically and commercially successful Matilda.
As well as the formal chairing of Board meetings, Vikki will guide the strategic direction of the Academy, working closely with Mountview’s Principal and Board. This un paid, nonexecutive role includes steering the plans for Mountview’s move to a refurbished Hornsey Town Hall. Vikki will be building on the achievements of Sandy Orr OBE who stood down recently at the end of his term of office.
Vikki said: “I am delighted to be taking up this important role. I have been hugely impressed with the way in which Mountview has developed over recent years. There are some big challenges ahead – not least ensuring that the visionary plans for Hornsey Town Hall become a reality for students, the theatre industry and the community alike. It will be a privilege and a pleasure to be involved in taking the Academy forward to the next exciting
phase of its work.”
Sue Robertson, Mountview’s Principal said: “It is wonderful news that Vikki has agreed to become our Chairman. She brings a wealth of experience and understanding of theatre and the arts with a passionate commitment to drama training. Her insight, vision and leadership will help ensure Mountview’s continued growth and success as one of the country’s foremost trainers of actors, directors and technical theatre specialists.”
Vikki will formally take up the post at the next Board Meeting at the end of March 2013.
Third year students snapped up by shows
Mountview is thrilled to announce that three of its current third year musical theatre students have already moved onto the professional stage.
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Kane Oliver Parry has joined the international arena tour of hit musical We Will Rock You, in which as well as playing the ensemble he is understudying lead role Galileo. A Ben Elton book with music by the inimitable Queen makes for a dazzling theatrical experience. The tour runs until June. More info can be found at www.wewillrockyou.co.uk
Mountview on Sky News
Friday, 16 November 2012 13:10
Mountview Principal Sue Robertson and 3rd Year Acting Student Prince Plockey were interviewed on ‘Boulton & Co’ on Sky News about how government cuts to arts funding will affect the training of drama students and their prospects of work after graduation.
Sue Robertson said: “students like Prince have trained for three years to develop their craft. The issues that Danny [Boyle] is raising are very important because we have a pool of brilliantly trained actors, but if there are cuts to programming there won’t be roles for them to go into.”
Prince added: “we’re at the stage where we’re putting on our final shows and writing to agents to come and see them; but the thought that there will be less work available in the future is daunting.”
Mountview supports the Bacc For The Future Campaign
Monday, 05 November 2012 14:06
Mountview is proud to support the Bacc For The Future Campaign, which aims to ensure arts training is at the heart of future curriculum changes.
Sue Robertson, Mountview’s Principal says:
“It is vitally important that young people in schools have learning opportunities in the arts and creative subjects as part of the core curriculum at all stages. Not to include them in the proposals for the EBacc seems short-sighted and risks damaging a vital source of social, cultural and economic strength in the country at a time when we most need it.
We have a worldwide reputation for the arts in the U.K. that is second-to-none and the extraordinary talent of our leading creative practitioners continues to shine through, even at difficult times. The recent Olympic Ceremonies and the Cultural Olympiad were resounding evidence of that, if more were needed.
Achievements such as these don’t just happen - they grow out of strong educational practice and specialist training. It therefore seems puzzling, if not perverse, to cut them off at the roots.”
Find out more about the campaign: www.baccforthefuture.com
Mountview wins place on Jack Petchey Achievement Award Scheme
Wednesday, 31 October 2012 16:24
Mountview’s Saturday classes for young people have been accepted onto the prestigious Jack Petchey Achievement Award Scheme.
The Award Scheme recognises the achievements of young people by giving them grants of £200 which they can spend for the combined benefit of their youth or community group.
Mountview has been accepted onto the Gold level of the scheme, enabling the Academy to select nine winners each year. The winners are able to choose how they spend their grant for the benefit of all the class.
Sue Robertson, Principal of Mountview, said: “we are thrilled to have been accepted onto the Jack Petchey Achievement Award Scheme at its highest level. This recognises the fantastic work that goes on with young people from across Haringey in our Saturday classes by rewarding them for their creativity and dedication.”
Eddie Gower, Head of Education & Community Outreach, said: “the great thing about this scheme is that the winners get to share their success with the whole group. This really builds the community spirit and brings benefits for all.”
Elaine Paige OBE awarded Honorary Degree
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 14:02
Elaine Paige OBE was today awarded an Honorary Degree from the University of East Anglia at Mountview’s Graduation Ceremony held at St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden. The award is made in recognition of her outstanding contribution to musical theatre and the theatre profession. She receives an Honorary Doctorate of Letters.
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